Winter Preparedness - Wind Chill

Most of the time, cold is judged in terms of a thermometer reading. With people and other living things though, both temperature and wind speed are needed to produce a “wind chill factor.” The wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the combined effects of the wind and cold. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature. The wind chill shows how cold the wind makes exposed flesh feel and is a good way to determine the potential for frostbite or hypothermia. 

Remember, wind chill values apply only to people and other living things. If the temperature is 35 °F and the wind chill is 10 °F, objects such as pipes or cars will only cool to 35 °F. The wind chill factor does not apply to non-living objects. 

For additional information on winter storm or other hazards, contact the following: 

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